The purpose of this study is to reconsider the concept of ‘Leisure’ in Physical Education and to suggest the concept of ‘Sport & Leisure’. ‘Sport & Leisure’ as a concept is widely understood. It is implicated in ‘Sport’ and ‘Leisure’ and furthermore, extensive actions of human being.
In the beginning of the study, I would like to examine 4 fundamental questions in this paper. These are (1) the place of ‘Leisure’ in Japanese research area on the philosophy and principles of Physical Education, (2) the extent of Japanese language as ‘Leisure, ’ (3) the logic of discussion about ‘Leisure’ in Physical Education, and (4) the perspective of ‘Sport & Leisure’ in Japanese Physical Education.
The results of this examination were as follows:
(1) The argument about ‘Leisure’ in Japanese research on the philosophy and principles of Physical Education (1965-1976) regarded physical exercises and sports as the main activity, considered the usefulness as important and devalued the factor of ‘Goraku’ (amusement);
(2) ‘Leisure’ in Japanese meant spare time, and was associated with ‘Goraku’ (amusement) and ‘Asobi’ (play). The meanings ‘Goraku’ (amusement) and ‘Asobi’ (play) are related to ‘Kairaku’ (pleasure), ‘Hoojuu’ (intemperance), ‘Dohoraku’ (indulgence) and ‘Hootou’ (debauchery);
(3) In the Japanese Physical Education literature ‘Leisure’ means spare time. The practical use of the spare time is important. And the practical use of the spare time must be taught in Physical Education. Physical exercises and sports as the subject matter of Physical Education are sound and useful, therefore physical exercises and sports should be the main activity of the spare time. Furthermore the factor of ‘Goraku’ (amusement) must be reproached, because this factor relates to unsound factors such as ‘Kairaku’ (pleasure), ‘Hoojuu’ (intemperance), ‘Dohoraku’ (indulgence) and ‘Hootou’ (debauchery);
(4) ‘Leisure’ is conceptualized as not only spare time and the activity but also as a state of existence. Thus the meanings of ‘Leisure’ in Japanese Physical Education must be reconsidered. It is necessary to introduce new logic into Japanese Physical Education. I suggests that ‘Sport & Leisure’ is an important conceptual tool to construct a broader perspective.